Sexual abuse problems among adolescents and major remedial actions

Abstract

Over the past two decades, there has been increasing recognition that runaway and homeless youth (RHY) constitute a vulnerable population that faces a multitude of problems while away from home and, often, difficulties of equal magnitude in the homes they have left. Many of these youth are thought to have been victimized by sexual abuse and to have left home as a means of escaping abusive families. Although risky behaviors are now well documented, relatively little is known about the scope and prevalence of sexual abuse among the families of origin of RHY, the extent to which such abuse may exceed that of comparable youth in the general population, and the role that sexual abuse plays in the youth‘s decision to leave home. The overall purpose of the study was to begin to delineate the scope of the problem, to stimulate further discussion, and to make recommendations concerning research and policy. This report presents the results of each of these initiatives, synthesizes findings, and presents recommendations. The directed study aims to look into the issues related to sexual abuse in adolescents and recommend remedial and preventive measures.